Osi Umenyiora Trade Rumors: New England Patriots Should Wrap Up with Giant Boom

The lockout-shortened offseason has turned what is, by comparison, the most boring free-agency period of all professional sports into a maelstrom of last-second and hasty maneuvering.

The New England Patriots have stood out with their low-cost, high-potential trades for Albert Haynesworth and Chad Ochocinco. There is always the potential for both players to completely flop, though that scenario is highly doubtful.

If that unlikely occurrence does come to fruition, the Patriots can at least rest easy knowing they did not give up anything better than a fifth-round pick in the 2013 draft and some cap space.

There is still one more area left for the Pats to address, however, and that is the defensive end position—actually, more the gaping hole where the ends are supposed to be standing.

Tully Banta-Cain—the team's leading sack artist over the last two years (15)—was released after news emerged that he would be out for significant time following abdominal surgery. This leaves the current depth chart with two listed ends: Jermaine Cunningham and Eric Moore.

The two have three career sacks—combined.

Enter Osi Umenyiora.

This is a player with a Super Bowl ring, two Pro Bowl selections, 60 career sacks and the Giants franchise record for sacks in one game (six). He's coming off a 11.5-sack season with 10 forced fumbles—the most in the NFL.

With Vince Wilfork and Haynesworth manning the line, opposing running backs should venture up the middle only if they're prepared for the fact that they may be swallowed whole by the 650-plus-pound duo. Darren Sproles, at 5'6", 181 pounds, probably wouldn't be much more than an appetizer. 

When it comes to containment on the edges, however, the Patriots will be sorely lacking. Going up against a wildcat package or a mobile QB who can outrun the defense to the sidelines will likely end in disaster and frustration for the perennial Super Bowl favorites. 

Trading for Umenyiora would instantly help solve this problem. The 29-year-old London native is one of the quickest ends in the league and makes a living chasing down players and going for the ball strip. 

There are a few roadblocks to this deal getting done:

• The Giants are asking for a first-round pick—more than anyone is willing to give. 
• Umenyiora will want a new contract, as he is unhappy with his current deal.
• The Patriots will need to make cap space after adding Haynesworth and Ochocinco.
• There is a certain level of disdain towards the player who helped make the Pats 18-1 in 2007.

The Giants' asking price will come down, and no team is more willing to trade draft picks than the Patriots. Their strategy has long been to trade or sign veteran players who have a track record, rather than pay high-priced rookies who have the risk of flopping. 

If this deal gets done it will likely be for two picks, probably a third-rounder in 2012 and a fourth-rounder in 2013. This would be a win for the Patriots; they will have the pass rusher they have been lacking for years and the Giants will free up space on their crowded defensive line.

Jerry Reese and Co. will be able to rid themselves of the unhappy star while getting something in return for a player who would likely not re-sign anyway.